Addis Ababa, 30 August 2006 -- The WHO Regional Office for Africa has developed a strategy to optimize child survival, growth and development, and reduce mortality among children less than five years of age, currently estimated at 4.6 million per year.

WHO estimates that infections are the main direct cause of child mortality in Africa. On the average, 70% of child deaths in the region are attributable to a few mainly preventable causes – acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, measles, malnutrition and neonatal conditions such as suffocation, prematurity, and low birth weight occurring singly or in combination. About 63% of current child mortality could be prevented if affordable interventions are implemented.

The objective of the strategy, to be discussed Wednesday at the 56th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is to accelerate the reduction of neonatal and child mortality in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by achieving high population coverage using a defined set of effective interventions. To attain the MDGs, the region needs to increase its average annual mortality reduction rate to 8.2% per annum if the MDG related to child survival strategy is to be achieved.

The essential package of interventions recommended for use in the strategy include: promotion newborn care; infant and young child feeding, including micronutrient supplementation; deworming; prevention of malaria using insecticide–treated nets and intermittent preventive treatment; immunization of mothers and children; prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and management o f common childhood illnesses.

Approaches for ensuring child survival outlined in the strategy document are: advocating for harmonization of child survival goals and agenda; strengthening health systems; empowering families and communities; forging operational partnerships, and the mobilization of resources at all levels to scale up proven interventions.

The child survival strategy is founded on basic guiding principles including: child rights; equity; multisectoral collaboration; integration; partnerships, and the life-course approach (which promotes optimal growth and development of the child from conception to the age of five).

For further information contact:

Technical Contact

Dr Seipati Mothebesoane- Anoh

E-mail: mothebesoanes [at] afro.who.int

Media contact: 

Samuel T. Ajibola

Tel: + 47 241 39378

In Addis Ababa : 0911 53 23 32

Email: ajibolas [at] afro.who.int